Kathleen Sebelius

Confirmation: Confirmed April 28

Chosen for: Health and Human Services

Would bring to the job: Popularity and an interesting track record as a two-term Democratic governor in Kansas, a heavily Republican state. She is often rated as one of the nation’s top governors, and has drawn attention for cutting her state’s deficit and raising education spending. Labor unions applaud her efforts to keep aircraft jobs, to give 7,000 home-based child care workers the right to unionize and her veto of a workers’ compensation bill that favored business.

Is linked to Mr. Obama by: Her early support, beginning with her endorsement last January and including campaigning on his behalf and serving as his surrogate with the news media and others. Because of that, as well as her popularity in Kansas and in the crucial swing state of Ohio, where she grew up, she was widely mentioned as a possible vice presidential choice. Mr. Obama told reporters last summer, “I love Kathleen Sebelius.”

In her own words: “We are tired of leaders who rather than asking what we can do for our country, ask nothing of us at all.” (From the Democratic response to the State of the Union address by President Bush on Jan. 28, 2008)

Used to work as: A lobbyist for the Kansas Trial Lawyers Association for eight years, a state legislator for eight years and State Insurance Commissioner for eight years.

Carries as baggage: Not much, but she will most likely be long remembered for her flop on the national stage last January, when she delivered the Democratic response to the State of the Union. Even Jon Stewart mocked the speech, saying: “Wow! Flat and boring — what state is she governor of again?” Although she says abortion is wrong, she is at odds with the Roman Catholic archbishop for northeast Kansas, who asked her not to take communion because she vetoed a bill that would have required clinics to report information on why a late-term abortion was performed.

Also known for: Her political roots. She is the daughter of John J. Gilligan, governor of Ohio from 1971 to 1975. She has shown her own political savvy, choosing Republican running mates for lieutenant governor when she ran for office in 2002 and 2006. She also came to national attention in 1994 when, as state insurance commissioner, she blocked the sale of Blue Cross Blue Shield to an out-of-state company because it would have raised premiums too much.

Biography: Born May 15, 1948, in Cincinnati, where she grew up. ... earned a B.A. from Trinity College in Washington and an M.A. in public administration from the University of Kansas. ... married to Gary Sebelius, a federal magistrate judge and the son of a six-term congressman from Kansas. ... they have two grown sons.